Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan To Launch AI-Powered ‘Swami Chatbot’ To Enhance Sabarimala Pilgrimage

Accessible via smartphones, the Swami Chatbot will provide Sabarimala pilgrims with comprehensive information on pooja timings, and transportation options, including railway and airport facilities.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday unveiled the logo for the ‘Swami Chatbot,’ an AI-based digital assistant developed by the Pathanamthitta district administration to support and enhance the pilgrimage experience for Sabarimala devotees. The event, held at the Chief Minister's office, saw the participation of Devaswom Special Secretary TV Anupama, the CM’s Officer on Special Duty S Karthikeyan, and Pathanamthitta District Collector S Prem Krishnan.

Accessible via smartphones, the Swami Chatbot will provide Sabarimala pilgrims with comprehensive information on pooja timings, and transportation options, including railway and airport facilities, as per a report on PTI. Designed to serve a broad audience, the chatbot will operate in six languages—Malayalam, English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada—to ensure accessibility across linguistic backgrounds.

The AI-powered chatbot, developed in collaboration with the Muthoot Group, aims to make the pilgrimage more seamless and safe. In addition to providing answers to questions on temple timings, KSRTC bus schedules, and accommodation options, the chatbot will include a WhatsApp-based interface. A dedicated WhatsApp number or QR code will soon be shared, allowing devotees easy access to the service.

The new system will also feature a real-time dashboard that enables devotees to monitor daily booking statistics and crowd status, helping authorities manage crowd dynamics and implement additional arrangements, such as extra staff or parking facilities, when necessary, as per a report on Mathrubhumi. Importantly, while the dashboard will display crowd levels, it will maintain the privacy of personal details of devotees using the virtual queue booking system, allowing pilgrims to plan their visits efficiently and securely.

Meanwhile, pilgrims to Sabarimala could now carry 'flammable' coconuts in the cabin baggage of flights. Earlier, the 'flammable' coconuts were not allowed in the cabin baggage as they were categorised under 'flammable' substance.